Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, ease tensions, and ensure the continuation of talks, adding that Turkey was hopeful about negotiations despite issues.
He said difficult issues between the sides could be resolved if they focused on the benefits of peace.
Speaking to lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan said Israel's attacks on Lebanon were harming hopes for peace, and added the window of opportunity created by the ceasefire must be seized.
Erdogan's call for a continued ceasefire in the Middle East follows his recent statement suggesting that Ankara may soon consider military action against Israel.
Addressing the International Asia-Political Parties Conference earlier this week in Istanbul, Erdogan accused Israel of committing atrocities against Palestine and Lebanon before suggesting Ankara could choose to invade Israel.
"We must be strong to prevent Israel from doing this to Palestine," he said. "Just as we entered Karabakh, just as we entered Libya, we will do the same to them."
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday that Israel was seeking a new enemy and could soon set its sights on Turkey, remarks that came just a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply escalated rhetoric by threatening possible military action against the Jewish state.
"After Iran, Israel cannot live without hostility," Fidan said during an extensive interview with the Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu.
The Turkish minister accused Jerusalem of fostering "a new rhetoric" to justify its aggression in the region and declare Turkey an enemy.
Tobias Siegal contributed to this report.